Brussels \u2013 A curtailed right to strike, snail\u2011paced trials, no conflict\u2011of\u2011interest law, frivolous lawsuits against journalists still routine, and no body tasked with defending human rights: Italy\u2019s fundamental\u2011rights landscape still has a long way to go before it can claim to be a model. The European Commission\u2019s report on the rule of law highlights the existing shortcomings of a national system that has made little and insufficient progress towards full respect for the law and comprehensive safeguards for all.<\/p>\n
The first point the European Commission raises involves court proceedings: In Italy, “the positive trend in reduction of the disposition time continued, while the length of For Italy, the problem of slow justice is structural, and it is no coincidence that the European Commission itself has once again called for judicial reform<\/strong> in the country-specific recommendations published just over a month ago<\/a>. Slow trials have been dragging on for over a decade, during which the situation has not changed: there are many lawyers and few judges<\/a>, and the difference is that while a lawyer is a self-employed professional, a judge is a civil servant. Hiring more judges would mean higher public spending, and Italy, with forecasts that its public debt in 2027 will be the highest in the eurozone and the European Union,<\/a> cannot afford it. <\/p>\n On the subject of missing and failed reforms, the rule of law report highlights \u201cshortcomings in some EU Member States\u201d regarding conflicts of interest. Here, \u201cthe rules are incomplete, or reforms have been stalled,\u201d and in this regard, \u201cIn Italy, for example, the draft law on conflicts of interest remains pending.<\/strong>\u201d Italy is cited as a prime example of what not to do, with an explicit call for remedial action. Furthermore, the report notes that “n Italy, the national anti-corruption authority<\/a> launched a digital portal increasing https:\/\/www.eunews.it\/en\/2026\/03\/04\/council-of-europe-calls-on-italy-to-establish-a-national-human-rights-institution\/<\/a><\/p>\n In addition, Italy is cited as a negative example when the Commission\u2019s experts address human rights protection. The report stresses that \u201cMember States have not yet established a national human rights institution accredited But it is precisely the government\u2019s actions that are coming under scrutiny, particularly the 2025 and 2026 security decrees. The 2025 Security Decree<\/a>, subsequently enacted into law, introduces the criminal offence of blocking a road, punishable by imprisonment for between 6 months and 2 years, with a harsher sentence if the block is carried out by a group. The 2026 Security Decree<\/a>, on the other hand, introduces preventive detention: law enforcement agencies may detain individuals deemed potentially dangerous for up to 12 hours for investigation. The Commission notes that, with regard to Italy, there are \u201cconcerns about developments related to restrictions on the right to protest<\/strong> and their possible impact on civic space and the exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms.\u201d This represents a step backwards, compounded by a lack of progress.<\/p>\n Italy is, however, credited with minor improvements regarding press freedom, and in particular the tabling of proposed amendments to introduce specific aggravating circumstances for offences against professional journalists<\/strong>. These initiatives have been welcomed because, as the European Commission points out, \u201cIntimidation and pressure undermine the environment in which journalists work, and ensuring
\njudicial proceedings remains a serious issue,<\/strong>\u201d according to the report. It acknowledges that \u201cthe recruitment of magistrates and administrative court staff continues at a good pace,\u201d for example, through the launch of competitive examinations for the permanent recruitment of court staff, but all civil society stakeholders consulted agree that \u201ccontinued efforts to fill judicial and administrative vacancies in the courts are necessary.\u201d <\/p>\n
\nthe transparency of public procurement procedures, which remains a high-risk area<\/strong>.\u201d Here too, regulations, the rule of law, and controls need to be strengthened.<\/p>\n
\naccording to the UN Paris Principles.” Specifically, in Romania, a final decision on the accreditation of national human rights institutions is pending, while \u201cin Italy and Malta, only initial preparatory
\nsteps were made towards the establishment of a National Human Rights Institution.<\/strong>\u201d Results that highlight the priorities shaping the political agenda, with the Meloni government called out and urged to introduce the necessary adjustments<\/p>\nPress freedom: small praises for Meloni\u2019s Italy, but the defamation problem remains<\/h4>\n
\ntheir protection and safety is essential to safeguarding media freedom and a free and pluralistic
\nmedia environment.”<\/p>\n